Description

1839 P50C Capped Bust Half Dollar, Judd-99 Restrike,
Pollock-109, R.8, PR61 NGC.
Design. The obverse is the regular Capped Bust half dollar die
as used from 1836 through 1839. The reverse shows an eagle with its
head turned right (facing), with olive branch in the left talon and
four arrows in the right. The usual legends encircle the rim.
Struck in silver with a reeded edge.
Commentary. The reverse design will be instantly familiar to
students of U.S. coinage, as it is quite similar to that used on
the short-lived twenty cent coinage of 1875 through 1878. The
arrows and olive sprig are switched, and other minor details vary,
but there is no mistaking the many identical elements. The obverse
was also used on Judd-72, Pollock-75 of 1838. The weight of the
Garrett-Bass-Simpson specimen is recorded as 192 grains, which
would place it in the category of mid-19th century (or later)
restrike. Saul Teichman of USPatterns.com calls these restrikes
made for sale in the 1870s, as evidenced by the heavy die rust
prominent on both sides.
Physical Description. The die rust on the present specimen is
more prominent on the obverse, specifically a couple of
arrowhead-shaped areas nearly at the rim at 12 o'clock, just above
the front fold of the cap; just before Liberty's mouth and nose; on
her jawline and the forecurl at the top of her bustline; and
scattered along the lower periphery from the bust tip through the
date area. The reverse displays more-scattered die rust, mostly
around the peripheral letters but still fairly heavy. Deep rose and
blue iridescent highlights appear on both sides.